Universal regulator tester

ABSTRACT

A universal regulator tester is disclosed wherein a bleed valve is used to exhaust pressurized gas through an exhaust passage that is designed and configured to simulate the pneumatic action of an actuation of a marker. The universal regulator tester can be used to test apparatuses with pressures up to 1200 PSI and can be used on pneumatic paintball guns, markers and similar devices

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic tester of airsystems, i.e., for testing the output delivery pressure of regulators,etc., and more particularly, the present invention relates to auniversal regulator tester for testing pneumatic valves and regulatorseither connected to a pressure vessel or those, which stand-alone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years, as the popularity of paintball games has grown,there has been a proliferation of different types of paintball guns, airguns or markers, and the devices that are used in conjunction with thesemarkers. These new markers and related devices have become necessary dueto the increased level of play as users of these markers improve andhone their skills.

[0003] The early types of markers and related devices provided anadequate level of play. However, the onset of more experienced players,along with challenging paintball gun tournaments, now provides an arenawhere better markers and peripherals are required to sufficientlycompete.

[0004] As such, there is a great need for an apparatus that can test theair systems of these devices. The recent demand for both increasedsafety and peak performance within the paintball industry has created aneed for a pneumatic tester to accurately tune and maintain equipment atthe cutting edge.

[0005] As such, a need exists for a device that allows a player to testcertain capabilities of a marker and air system before, during, andafter competitions and tournaments. Some of these capabilities includethe ability to adjust and test the output pressure level, or muzzlevelocities for marker systems as the input pressure decays.

[0006] Further, a need exists to be able to perform different diagnostictests that simulate the marker system in question. Satisfaction of sucha need would allow a player to become familiar with how the markersystem will perform under various conditions.

[0007] Moreover, many players utilize marker systems that utilize manydifferent components produced by many different manufacturers. A needexists for players in the paintball industry to universally test theirrespective systems that are being used, regardless of the manufacturersof the marker system or components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is an apparatus for testing pneumaticvalves and regulators either connected to a pressure vessel or thosewhich stand alone. Due to the recent demands for both increased safetyand peak performance within the paintball industry, individuals havebeen forced to accurately tune and maintain their equipment at thecutting edge.

[0009] The tester of the present invention, known as a Guardian, allowsthe individual to simulate a marker connected to an air system. TheGuardian's passages and internal chamber have been calculated to emulatethe internal spacing most commonly found in the majority of markerswithin the industry today. This creates a system that can mostaccurately recreate the action of a regulator or pneumatic valve used inconjunction with the sport of paintball.

[0010] The Guardian is equipped with a low-pressure safety device thatwill prevent harm being done to the user if there is a malfunction inthe system being tested. It is equipped with a rotary bleed valve thatmakes the unit easy to use with one hand, enabling the user to securelyhold onto the system being tested with his free hand. The unit's heavyexternal knurling maintains this single handed ability even under themost severe conditions. The rotary bleed valve redirects discharge airalongside the tester to prevent dirt, debris and foreign material fromimpeding or injuring the user. The tester is equipped with a large180-degree sweep gauge for quick easy reading.

[0011] Through the use of adapters, the Guardian tester can examine andservice a variety of systems not limited to the paintball industry. Thetester is equipped with an industry standard CGA 320 female thread inits main body for testing secondary regulators and pneumatic valves. Italso comes equipped with an adapter that has a CGA 320 male thread and1/8-27 N.P.T. female port for testing systems that utilize a line orhose assembly connecting it to the pressure vessel.

[0012] A standard valve pin and seat, such as that produced by AirAmerica, have been used in the configuration of the tester to allow theuser to repair or rebuild the unit while in the field with common partsif the need arises.

[0013] When using the system, the Guardian is first securely connectedto the unit needing test (primary or secondary regulator). For mostsecondary regulators the unit is screwed into the Guardian's female CGA320 port. The rotary bleed valve is closed completely seating theregulator pin onto the seat.

[0014] Air pressure is allowed to enter the tester through either theadapter or the CGA 320 fitting. Upon the air entering the main body, itin turn simultaneously applies pressure to the safety port and safety,along with the port that contains the pressure gauge. This causes thepressure gauge to read system pressure and allows the user to adjust thepressure of his system if he so wishes.

[0015] Pressure is maintained within the main body by sealing its escapepast the pin and seat. Based upon the reading on the gauge and itsactions, different diagnostic evaluations could be made. Air can bereleased from the tester by opening the rotary bleed valve, which allowsair to pass over the pin and seat and exit through passages of apredetermined size and length creating a marker discharge simulation.

[0016] Based on the actions of the gauge, diagnostic evaluations canonce again be made on the condition of the system being tested and itsoverall condition and performance. Air leaving the tester exits itsbleed passages and is directed downward, by the design and contour ofthe rotary bleed valve, along the sides of the tester to prevent harm tothe user or surrounding individuals.

[0017] To stop the flow of pressurized air the user simply rotates therotary bleed valve in the opposite direction. To simulate the cycling ofa marker's rate of fire, the user can simply open and close the valverhythmically to emulate the marker's cycle rate; diagnostic reading canonce again be taken to make determinations upon the system's condition.

[0018] For testing primary systems, the use of the adapter with the CGA320 male thread is needed to be utilized as an interface between thesystem being tested and the tester. The adapter allows for a variety ofdifferent primary system configurations to be attached to the Guardiantester. The interface (fitting) on the adapter can also be changed to becompatible with the fittings utilized with other manufacturers' airsystems, making the Guardian a true universal tester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view of a universal regulatortester for use in testing a regulator for markers in accordance with thepresent invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention is universal regulator tester designed toaccurately test marker systems with output pressures up to 1,200 PSI.The present invention is compatible with virtually all of the paintballguns or markers currently used in the sport of Paintball. The preferredembodiment of the present invention incorporates a high-pressure safetydevice, a precision pressure gauge, a precise bleed valve pin, valveadjustment, an exhaust passage, and a connecting port and an adapter forconnecting the present invention to various marker systems to be tested.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows an exploded sectional view of the universal regulatortester 10 in accordance with the present invention. As will be describedin detail herein, the universal regulator tester 10 consists of a mainbody 11 having an internal chamber 12 with four passages and an internalchamber. In the preferred embodiment, the main body 11 is precisionmachined and made from 7075 T651 aluminum, although other high strengthmaterials such as stainless steel and other aluminum alloys can be usedin the manufacture of the device. The main body 11 can withstandinternal pressures of up to 26,000 PSI, however in the preferredembodiment, the operating pressures of the tester 10 are up to 1,200PSI.

[0022]FIG. 1 shows the four passages of the tester 10. The exhaustpassage is located on the backside of the regulator valve pin 22. In thepresent invention, a bleed passage 14 is used as a bleed valve 21 tobleed pressure gas off of the tester 10 and through the exhaust passage(not shown). The bleed passage 14 and a bleed chamber 13 house aregulator valve pin 22 and a handle 24 for adjusting the position of theregulator valve pin 22.

[0023] An exhaust passage is used to exhaust pressurized gas from thetester. The exhaust passage extends from the bleed chamber 13 to theexterior of the tester 10. The use of a bleed valve and exhaust passageis well known by one having ordinary skill in the art. However, in thepreferred embodiment, the exhaust passage is designed and configuredsuch that exhausting pressurized gas from the tester 10 and through theexhaust passage simulates the pneumatic discharge action of a marker.This unique design and configuration allows one to perform variousdiagnostic tests on a marker's air system.

[0024] A pressure passage 16 is used to indicate the internal pressureof the tester 10. The pressure passage 16 contains a pressure gauge 26.In the preferred embodiment, the pressure gauge 26 is to have a pressurerange of 0 PSI to 1,200 PSI

[0025] The inlet passage 18 is used to connect the tester 10 to astandard CGA 320 male thread. In the preferred embodiment, the inletpassage 18 is located in axial alignment with the bleed chamber 13 usedfor the bleed valve. This is designed so that the seat 28 for bleedvalve can be inserted through the internal chamber as shown in FIG. 1,although other arrangements of the passages and assembly configurationscan be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention. Theseat 28, a washer 30, and a jam hex nut 32 are inserted into theinternal chamber to maintain the position of the seat 28.

[0026] Next, an O-ring 34 and an industry standard CGA 320 fitting 36are inserted into the inlet passage 18 to be used to connect the tester10 to a valve or regulator to be tested (not shown). The O-ring 34 issituated on the fitting 36 in a recessed groove 38 before insertion intothe inlet passage 18. In the preferred embodiment the fitting 36 hasCompressed Gas Association (CGA) 320 male thread for testing secondaryregulators and pneumatic valves (not shown). An adapter 40 can also beused that has a 1/8-27 N.P.T. male thread and quick disconnect male endfor testing systems that utilize a line or hose assembly connecting itto the pressure vessel/regulator valve assembly.

[0027] Further, a safety burst disk 43 is positioned in the safety burstdisk passage 20. The safety burst disk 43 is held in position by use ofa safety orifice washer 42 and a safety jam hex nut 44. If the pressurein the valve body becomes too great, the safety burst disk 43 willrelease from the safety burst disk passage 20. When the safety burstdisk 43 releases, pressurized gas escapes through the passage 20,reducing the pressure in the internal chamber 12. In accordance withcurrent CGA safety standard recommendations, the burst disk shouldrelease at 1.5 times the input pressure rating. For a system in whichthe input pressure rating is 1,200 PSI, thus the burst disk shouldrelease if the input pressure reaches about 1,800 PSI. Additionally,various O-rings (not shown) are used in the passages, as needed, tomaintain up to a 1,200 PSI in the internal chamber 12.

[0028] Again referring FIG. 1, the operation of the universal regulatortester 10 of the present invention can be understood. First, the tester10 must be connected to a pressurized source regulator to be tested (notshown) with the bleed valve 21 in the closed position. Pressurized airenters the tester 10 through either the adapter 40 or the CGA 320fitting 36 and/or the inlet passage 18.

[0029] The pressurized air simultaneously applies pressure to the bleedvalve 21, the pressure passage 16, the pressure gauge 26, the safetyburst disk passage 20, and the safety burst disk 43. Pressure ismaintained within the internal chamber 12 by sealing its escape past thepin 22 and the seat 28. This causes the pressure gauge 26 to read markersystem pressure and the user can adjust the pressure of his markersystem if he so wishes. Based upon the reading on the pressure gauge 26and its actions, different diagnostic evaluations could also be made.

[0030] Air can be released from the tester 10 by opening the bleed valve21 allowing air to pass over the pin 22 and the seat 30 and exit throughexhaust passages of a predetermined size and length creating a markerdischarge simulation. Based on the actions of the pressure gauge 26,diagnostic evaluations can once again be made on the condition of theair system being tested and its overall condition and performance.

[0031] As air leaves the tester 10 through the exhaust passage, theexhausted air is directed downward, by the design and contour of thebleed valve 21, along the sides of the tester 10 to prevent harm to theuser or surrounding individuals. To stop the flow of pressurized air,the user simply closes the bleed valve 21.

[0032] To simulate the cycling of a markers rate of fire, the user cansimply open and close the bleed valve 10 rhythmically to emulate themarkers cycle rate. Diagnostic readings can once again be taken to makedeterminations upon the systems condition and performance.

[0033] For testing primary systems, the use of the adapter 40 with theCGA 320 male thread is needed as an interface between the system beingtested and the tester 10. The adapter 40 allows for a variety ofdifferent primary system configurations to be attached to the tester 10.The various adapters can be used in conjunction with the fitting 36 suchthat the tester 10 is compatible with the fittings utilized with othermanufacturers' air systems, making the present invention a universaltester.

[0034] The foregoing detailed description of the invention is intendedto be illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Changes and modifications are possible with respect to the foregoingdescription, and it is understood that the invention may be practicedotherwise than that specifically described herein and still be withinthe scope of the claims.

1. A universal regulator tester for use on a pneumatic device,comprising: a main body having an internal chamber with a bleed passage,a pressure passage, inlet passage, a safety burst disk passage, and anexhaust, said bleed passage houses a bleed chamber, a bleed valuecomprised of a valve pin and a valve handle, and configured such thatpressurized air can be exhausted through said bleed chamber and out saidexhaust by movement of said valve handle to move said valve pin, saidpressure passage houses a pressure gauge for displaying a pressuremeasurement of said internal chamber, said inlet passage houses a seat,a washer, and a jam hex nut are inserted and configured into said inletpassage and secured within said internal chamber to act as a seat aspart of said bleed valve, said inlet passage is sealed by use of aO-ring and a fitting, said fitting configured for attachment to a markerto be tested, said safety burst disk passage houses a safety burst diskand a safety orifice washer.